Kiri-Onna MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 43 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kensuke Okabayashi |
Text of card
When Kiri-Onna comes into play, return target creature to its owner's hand. Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, you may return Kiri-Onna to its owner's hand.
Cards like Kiri-Onna
Kiri-Onna stands out in the vast landscape of returning creature cards to a player’s hand in Magic: The Gathering. This card has a certain kinship with other bounce spells like Man-o’-War. Both function to disrupt an opponent’s board by sending creatures back to their hand. Kiri-Onna, however, brings a nuanced edge to the table. When played, it allows you to potentially recycle its ability if you return a spirit. Comparatively, Man-o’-War does not offer this repeatable utility.
When eyeing Similarities with Nekrataal, both cards have the potential to impact the board significantly when they enter the battlefield. Yet, Kiri-Onna’s ongoing utility with its return-to-hand effect grants it a more versatile use in decks that can exploit this trigger, particularly those that leverage spirit or arcane synergies. Echoing Truth is another notable card that can reset multiple tokens or copies of a permanent, but unlike Kiri-Onna, it doesn’t come with a body on the board, which limits its presence.
Ultimately, Kiri-Onna carves a niche in MTG as a reusable tactical disruptor, blending both creature and bounce spell benefits. For players valuing repeated manipulation of the board, Kiri-Onna could very well be a mainstay in their strategy.
Cards similar to Kiri-Onna by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kiri-Onna provides an edge when it comes to maintaining hand superiority. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows you to return a creature to its owner’s hand. Not only does this disrupt your opponent’s strategy, but if you return another Spirit you control, you can potentially reuse another enter-the-battlefield effect, effectively gaining additional value from the cards you play.
Resource Acceleration: Although Kiri-Onna doesn’t directly produce additional mana or tokens, effectively using its ability to bounce Spirits to your hand can accelerate your resources. By recasting those Spirits, you could trigger synergies within your deck that generate additional value or mana, providing a pseudo-acceleration effect.
Instant Speed: The power of Kiri-Onna is compounded by its flash ability, which enables you to use this card during your opponent’s turn. This element of surprise allows you to keep mana available for counterspells or other interactions and only play Kiri-Onna when it will have the most impact, disrupting your opponent’s plays or protecting your own creatures from removal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kiri-Onna demands the player to discard a card upon re-casting it from the graveyard using its soulshift ability. This can be particularly constraining when your hand is already depleted, thus potentially losing key pieces from your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Kiri-Onna’s casting cost requires two blue mana, which might not mesh well in multi-color decks that are not heavily invested in blue. This makes it less flexible and could lead to it being a dead card in your hand when you’re unable to produce the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its return-to-hand effect, Kiri-Onna has a relatively steep cost of five mana, including two blue. In the current meta, there are alternatives that perform similar functions for a lesser mana investment, making it a less economical choice in a deck where efficiency is paramount.
Reasons to Include Kiri-Onna in Your Collection
Versatility: Kiri-Onna offers flexibility as it can function effectively in various decks designed for control or tempo. Its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand makes it a valuable tool for disrupting opponent strategies and creating favorable board states.
Combo Potential: Kiri-Onna works well with other cards that benefit from or trigger upon creatures entering or leaving the battlefield. This synergy can amplify your strategy and generate advantageous interactions within the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG’s ever-shifting meta can favor decks with interactive elements, Kiri-Onna’s creature-bouncing ability can be a timely addition to decks looking to gain an edge against creature-heavy opponents or those reliant on battlefield presence.
How to Beat Kiri-Onna
Kiri-Onna is a unique creature from the world of Magic: The Gathering, bringing a blend of control and tempo to the table. Its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield can disrupt your opponent’s plans significantly. Moreover, its synergy with Spirit or Arcane spells allows for repeated use, posing a continuous threat to your board presence.
To effectively counter Kiri-Onna, consider using cards that prevent your creatures from being targets of spells or abilities, such as Swiftfoot Boots or Asceticism. Countering her on the stack with spells like Negate or Mana Leak also proves efficient. Furthermore, employing instant-speed removal when Kiri-Onna is cast, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push ensures that she doesn’t stick around to utilize her return-to-hand effect. Consequently, playing around her by holding back on casting valuable creatures until you have the means to protect them is a strategic approach to maintain board control and diminish Kiri-Onna’s influence on the game.
Understanding how Kiri-Onna fits within the broader mechanics of Magic: The Gathering is key. By preparing informed strategies and pinpointing the right moments to act, you can minimize her impact and preserve your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kiri-Onna MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Kiri-Onna and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kiri-Onna has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kiri-Onna card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-06-01 | If there are no other creatures on the battlefield as Kiri-Onna enters the battlefield, you must target Kiri-Onna with its own ability. |